Northrop Grumman Aeronautics Systems (NGAS) has an opening for an Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer or Advanced Automation Principal Manufacturing Engineer to join our team of qualified, diverse individuals. This position will be located at Palmdale, CA Center of Excellence where technology and teamwork come together. The qualified applicant will become part of Northrop Grumman's Manufacturing Engineering Team working in a collaborative environment while promoting a positive and proactive teamwork environment.
Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineering job duties involve the following:
- Provide guidance to Engineering regarding design concepts to ensure the best manufacturing technique is being used to meet the Engineering design
- Participate in tool design reviews to ensure tools are feasible and reduce build times and program costs during assembly
- Define sequence of operations for product builds, investigate and initiate corrective actions and improvements that involve non-conforming product and identify improvement opportunities in areas that require producibility and affordability initiatives
As a member of the Automation Manufacturing Engineering team, you will define, develop, implement, and transition new technology solutions to manufacturing to increase efficiency, reduce cost, and improve quality. Manufacturing concept and process solutions for production applications cover advanced technologies including but not limited to composites fabrication, assembly, automation, inspection, direct part manufacturing, survivability technologies, as well as digital capabilities. The role requires incorporation of requirements into development plans and evaluation of performance of processes and tools to verify their efficiency. In addition, you will identify and initiate corrective action of problems and deficiencies to ensure technical, schedule, and cost objectives are met, and product quality is maintained. In this role, you will provide guidance regarding design concepts, directly support, and ensure the successful implementation of new solution capabilities released to production, and specification requirements to best utilize resources and manufacturing techniques. This role involves interfacing with internal and external customers, program offices, engineering disciplines, executive management and requires the ability to handle multiple projects concurrently in a dynamic/fast-paced work environment.
Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineers for Aeronautics Systems are expected to provide technical solutions to a wide range of complex and difficult problems. They are problem solvers who can provide results that are innovative, thorough, practical, and consistent with organization objectives. We seek Manufacturing Engineers that use a unique skill set that includes a hands-on approach and support as the technical representative voice for the Manufacturing organization.
Basic Qualifications for Advanced Automation Manufacturing Engineer:
- Bachelor’s Degree with 1 year or Master’s degree with 0 years of related experience in production assembly / fabrication including composites, machining, coatings application, or production manufacturing operations
- Experience supporting manufacturing / production operations with an understanding of manufacturing processes and procedures
- Experience in machining, robotics, or numerical control programming
- Experience in composites, automation, heating systems or coatings application
- Experience working or knowledge of Process Work Instructions (PWI)
- Experience in creating work instructions, training materials & visual aids
- Experience reviewing and interpreting Blueprints and 3-D models
- Experience in system requirements development, acceptance testing and training
- Experience working hands-on in a production assembly line environment
- Experience in troubleshooting systems, and root cause and corrective action analysis
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook
- Ability to interface / communicate with multiple levels of leadership, engineering, production, customers, and suppliers
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
- Ability to work 1st shift, or 2nd shift and any work schedule (times may vary)
- Ability to travel at least 10-15%
Basic Qualifications for Advanced Automation Principal Manufacturing Engineer:
- Bachelor’s Degree with 4 years or Master’s degree with 3 years or PhD degree with 0 years of related experience in production assembly / fabrication including composites, machining, coatings application, or production manufacturing operations
- Experience supporting manufacturing / production operations with an understanding of manufacturing processes and procedures
- Experience in machining, robotics, or numerical control programming
- Experience in composites, automation, heating systems or coatings application
- Experience working or knowledge of Process Work Instructions (PWI)
- Experience in creating work instructions, training materials & visual aids
- Experience reviewing and interpreting Blueprints and 3-D models
- Experience in system requirements development, acceptance testing and training
- Experience working hands-on in a production assembly line environment
- Experience in troubleshooting systems, and root cause and corrective action analysis
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook
- Ability to interface / communicate with multiple levels of leadership, engineering, production, customers, and suppliers
- This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance as well as Program Special access within a reasonable period of time, as determined by the company to meet its business needs
- Ability to work 1st shift, or 2nd shift and any work schedule (times may vary)
- Ability to travel at least 10-15%
Preferred Qualifications
- Degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
- Experience in project management and execution (proposal creation, scheduling, budget tracking)
- Experience in Manufacturing Execution System and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems
- Experience in solid modeling design using NX Siemens, CATIA or Solid Works
- Experience providing innovative techniques focused on improving product designs and tooling assemblies or equipment
- Experience in using Microsoft Office Project, Visio, SharePoint
- Experience in Transition to Production activities
- Active in-scope U.S. Government Secret clearance and Special Program Access clearance preferred
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree with 1 year of related experience, or Master's degree with 0 years, in production assembly, fabrication, composites, machining, coatings application, or production manufacturing operations
- Experience supporting manufacturing or production operations and understanding manufacturing processes and procedures
- Experience in machining, robotics, or numerical control programming
- Experience in composites, automation, heating systems, or coatings application
- Experience with or knowledge of Process Work Instructions (PWI)
- Experience creating work instructions, training materials, and visual aids
- Experience reviewing and interpreting blueprints and 3-D models
- Experience in system requirements development, acceptance testing, and training
- Hands-on experience in a production assembly line environment
- Experience troubleshooting systems and performing root-cause and corrective-action analysis
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook
- Ability to communicate with leadership, engineering, production, customers, and suppliers
- Ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government Secret clearance and Program Special Access
- Ability to work first or second shift and variable work schedules
- Ability to travel at least 10-15%
- Bachelor's degree with 4 years, Master's degree with 3 years, or PhD with 0 years of related experience for the Principal level
- Degree in a STEM field
- Experience in project management and execution, including proposals, scheduling, and budget tracking
- Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems and Enterprise Resource Planning systems
- Experience with solid modeling using Siemens NX, CATIA, or SolidWorks
- Experience improving product designs, tooling assemblies, or equipment
- Experience using Microsoft Project, Visio, or SharePoint
- Experience with Transition to Production activities
- Active in-scope U.S. Government Secret clearance and Special Program Access clearance
Northrop Grumman Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Northrop Grumman and has not been reviewed or approved by Northrop Grumman.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage offers multiple medical plan options by region alongside dental, vision, mental‑health resources, and wellness programs. Recent materials also highlight added family‑building support, including a dedicated fertility benefit.
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Retirement Support — The 401(k) savings plan is positioned as competitive with a company match, auto‑escalation features, and access to an employee stock fund/ESPP. Official filings and benefits guides emphasize retirement as a core element of the Total Rewards package.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Many sites offer a 9/80 schedule, generous PTO, paid holidays, and flexible/telework options where program needs allow. Paid parental and caregiver leave are prominently featured, with recent enhancements for the delivering parent.
Northrop Grumman Insights
What We Do
We are a close-knit community of big thinkers collaborating to keep the world safe. Our passion, creativity and expertise bring next-level technology solutions to life in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, space, and logistics and modernization for our customers around the globe. On the Northrop Grumman team, you’ll join our pursuit of excellence immersed in a dynamic culture of innovation and respect. Your unique perspective will help achieve our shared vision for the future of global security. Every step of the way, you'll be supported by world-class training, employee resource groups and a comprehensive benefits package that enables greater health and happiness for you and your family. Worldwide and across disciplines, we’re challenging what’s possible for technology to protect people and places from undersea to outer space and into cyberspace. And we see the impact of our performance every day. We are Northrop Grumman, and we work on what matters—now, you too can make a difference. Explore opportunities in engineering, IT, manufacturing, business management, cybersecurity and more with us. Northrop Grumman is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
